Description
Mighty Sparrow – Hot Like Fire – Cassette
Hot Like Fire is a studio album by the Trinidadian calypso artist Mighty Sparrow, also known as Slinger Francisco. Released in 1974, the album showcases Sparrow’s signature style of calypso music infused with social commentary, humor, and infectious rhythms.
Mighty Sparrow is widely regarded as one of the most influential calypso artists of all time, known for his smooth vocals, witty lyrics, and charismatic stage presence. “Hot Like Fire” captures Sparrow at the peak of his career, delivering a collection of lively and spirited calypso tunes.
With his ultra-sweet vocals and lyrics that speak of romance and topical politics, Mighty Sparrow (born Slinger Francisco) has risen to the upper echelon of Trinidadian calypso. Best known for his hits “Jean And Dinah” in 1956 and “Carnival Boycott” in 1957, Sparrow is an 11-time winner of the calypso monarchy and an eight-time winner of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival Road March competition.
Born to a poor working class family in Gran Roi, a small fishing village in Grenada, Sparrow moved to Trinidad at the age of one. Learning to sing in the boy’s choir of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, he became the head choirboy. At the age of 14, he formed a steel band to perform at the Carnival, sparking his interest in calypso.
Teaching himself to play guitar, Sparrow began to write his own songs. Winning the Carnival competition with “Jean And Dinah,” he received a grand prize of 40 dollars. In protest, he wrote a scorching indictment of the Trinidadian music industry, “arnival Boycott.” Despite his refusal to compete in the Carnival contests for the next three years, Sparrow became one of the Caribbean’s most successful artists.
The album features a mix of energetic and upbeat tracks that blend traditional calypso rhythms with elements of soca, reggae, and Afro-Caribbean influences. Mighty Sparrow’s songwriting tackles a range of topics, including social issues, love, politics, and cultural commentary, often laced with his trademark humor and wordplay.
Standout tracks from Hot Like Fire include the title track “Hot Like Fire,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “Slave.” These songs showcase Sparrow’s ability to engage listeners with his catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and his unique ability to address serious topics through the lens of humor and satire.
Hot Like Fire received critical acclaim upon its release and solidified Mighty Sparrow’s status as a calypso icon. The album highlights his incredible vocal range, his ability to captivate audiences with his storytelling, and his mastery of the calypso art form.
For fans of calypso music and those interested in exploring the vibrant sounds of the Caribbean, Hot Like Fire offers a delightful and entertaining listening experience. It represents a significant release in Mighty Sparrow’s discography and serves as a testament to his enduring influence on the calypso genre.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal but promo cut in spine
Ice Records 1992
Track Listing
1. Both Of Them
2. Party Music Hot Like Fire
3. Leave It Right Dey
4. Gimme Room To Dance (Version)
5. Sweet Music
6. Gimme Room To Dance (Vocal Version)
7. Crown Heights Justice (Part 1 – Part 2) (Extended Version)
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